v2.4.0.6

INVENTORIES (Tables) | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2012
INVENTORIES [Abstract] |
Schedule of Inventory Table [Text Block] | Inventories consisted of the following:
| March 31, 2012 |  | December 31, 2011
| (Thousands of Dollars)
Crude oil | $ | 270,351 |  |  | $ | 157,297 |
Finished products | 493,826 |  |  | 421,288 |
Materials and supplies | 9,831 |  |  | 9,200 |
Total | $ | 774,008 |  |  | $ | 587,785 |

X
- Details
Name: | ns_InventoriesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | ns_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies held for future sale or to be used in manufacturing, servicing or production process. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Topic -SubTopic -Publisher SEC -Number 210 -Article 5 -Subparagraph a,b,c -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Paragraph 6 -Section 2 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfInventoryCurrentTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration